"Well,
at least theres never a dull moment when Jimmys around,
his famous mother, actress Helen Hayes said as he rushed out of a restaurant
and off toward Brooks Brothers in New York to buy a load of new
shirts.

She
had questioned him about this extravagance and he had howled, Can
I help it that the Harvard Laundry is so lousy they ruin all my shirts?

Though
she didnt say so, Helen wondered if it was the laundry or Jims
love for clothes.

This
is typical of him. His alert mind goes in dozens of directions with such
speed that it is nigh impossible to keep up with him. Theres his
career. Hes a student at Harvard, but he also has a movie under
his belt -- The Young Stranger, in which he proved conclusively that Ma
wasnt the only one with acting talent. It means, of course, that
he could chuck college and make his fame and fortune in filmtown -- but
he doesnt think this is what he wants. He could change his mind,
of course.

Hes
toyed with the idea of being a lawyer. He is currently dabbling in the
magazine publishing business, holding the title of associate publisher
in a small, new firm. Most of his friends believe that this is more title
than labor, but Jimmy says hes dead serious about it.

Thats
just it. Hes dead serious about everything -- while it lasts, particularly
romance, most especially romance. He is currently mad about Susan Strasburg,
pretty and gifted young daughter of the Actors Studio Strasburgs,
and herself starred in the film Stage Struck.

But
Susan says hes too young. Shes not exactly aged herself and
it is possible she means that he acts young.

He
has a variety of playtime interests -- including tennis, swimming, and
skating. But right now his greatest pastime is girls and more girls. He
has no ideal girl, that is he doesnt care if shes small or
tall, blonde or brunette. But he does require that shes a lady,
that shes a good sport, that shes intelligent, and, of course,
he wants her to be pretty.

What
does he think of marriage? Im all for it, he says, but
its not for me -- yet. I have to decide on a career and get going
on it -- I mean the one Im going to keep all my life. Then Ill
think about a wife. When I meet the girl Ill take her home to meet
Mother. I feel sorry for the poor girl. Mom can be pretty critical where
Im concerned.

His
mother has a different version. I wouldnt dream of interfering
in Jimmys choice unless I felt the girl was completely all wrong.
But Jimmy wouldnt fall in love with such a girl.

She
has kept hands off in his plans too, hell tell you. Once of
the first things Mother and Dad pounded into me was the fact I had to
think for myself, make my own decisions, Jimmy tells you. I
grew up in a stage atmosphere. The people who came to our house were of
the theater world -- many of them were famous stars or writers. So it
didnt have the same kind of glamour for me that it has for other
young people who dont know anything about the hard work and disillusionment
involved.

But
it left him with a yen for the bright lights. He appeared in school plays
and in summer stock. When Hollywood came calling, he took it up with his
mother, asked her, What shall I do?

What
do you want to do? she countered.

Well,
he wanted to go, to make the picture, but he felt he wanted to finish
his Harvard education too. After that, he will decide what hell
make of his life.

But
at present -- why worry? Hes proved his ability in a powerful film,
hes doing all right at school. He dates delightful girls, he flits
in and out of his publishing office in New York. And though at times he
knows he seems a little wild and irresponsible, hes not worried.

He
knows when the time comes to pick a wife, to pick a career, that hell
be better equipped to know what he wants.

Hollywood
and his admirers are hoping hell pick pictures. As for a wife --
well, let the best girl win.